C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S CHI (5)
Wed 2/4/26 10:52 PM

Gardner-Johnson totaled 66 tackles (46 solo), including 3.0 sacks, two interceptions and four passes defended across 13 regular-season games during the 2025 campaign.
EDGE Analysis
Gardner-Johnson started the season with the Texans but was released after struggling across the first three games. The 28-year-old ended up signing with Chicago in late October, where he was much more productive, racking up a career-high 3.0 sacks across just 10 outings. Gardner-Johnson is set to become a free agent this offseason and could join his fifth team in the past four seasons.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S CHI (5)
Fri 1/16/26 2:52 PM

Gardner-Johnson (concussion) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's divisional-round matchup against the Rams.
EDGE Analysis
The 28-year-old from Florida missed Chicago's wild-card win over the Packers due to a concussion sustained the week prior, but it now appears he's cleared the NFL's five-step protocol and will return Sunday. Gardner-Johnson has been a great addition to the Bears' secondary, recording 51 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, four passes defensed, including two interceptions, and one forced fumble over 10 appearances this season. He's expected to operate as Chicago's top slot corner Sunday.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S CHI (5)
Wed 1/14/26 6:14 PM

Gardner-Johnson (concussion) was estimated as a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice.
EDGE Analysis
Gardner-Johnson sat out of the Bears' wild-card game against the Packers with a concussion suffered in Week 18. The 28-year-old still needs to pass the NFL's concussion protocol for a chance to play Sunday, but his estimated full participation in Wednesday's walkthrough is a positive sign for the rest of the practice week.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S CHI (5)
Thu 1/8/26 2:53 PM

Gardner-Johnson (concussion) has been ruled out for Saturday's wild-card round game against the Packers.
EDGE Analysis
Nick McCloud will likely work as Chicago's nickel cornerback in Gardner-Johnson's absence, frequently matching up with slot receiver Jayden Reed. Gardner-Johnson remains in concussion protocol, which he entered following Chicago's loss to the Lions in the regular-season finale.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S CHI (5)
Wed 1/7/26 3:48 PM

Gardner-Johnson (concussion) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
EDGE Analysis
Gardner-Johnson did not participate in Tuesday's walkthrough nor Wednesday's practice. The slot cornerback still seems to be experiencing symptoms of the concussion he sustained during last Sunday's loss to the Lions. If Gardner-Johnson cannot upgrade his practice participation Thursday, he will likely be ruled out of Saturday's playoff matchup with the Packers. Nick McCloud will likely start at slot cornerback if Gardner-Johnson cannot play.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S CHI (5)
Mon 1/5/26 8:57 PM

Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters Monday that Gardner-Johnson entered the league's concussion protocol following Sunday's 19-16 loss to the Lions, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
His placement in concussion protocol has Gardner-Johnson facing an uphill battle to play in Saturday's NFC wild-card game against the Packers. Even if he were to log full practices this week, he would be prohibited from playing unless he cleared the league's concussion protocol by passing an evaluation from an independent neurologist. If Gardner-Johnson is unable to suit up, then Tyrique Stevenson, Nick McCloud (illness) and Jaylon Jones would be in line for more snaps in the secondary.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S CHI (5)
Mon 1/5/26 12:34 PM

Gardner-Johnson recorded six tackles (five solo) in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
EDGE Analysis
Gardner-Johnson totaled 66 tackles, including 3.0 sacks and four passes defended, including two interceptions, while splitting his season between Houston and Chicago. Durability remained an issue, as he has now missed 27 games since 2021 despite consistent per-game production when active. He is set to hit free agency and remains a low-ceiling IDP dependent on health.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S CHI (5)
Sun 12/28/25 7:27 PM

Gardner-Johnson (knee) is active for Sunday night's game against the 49ers.
EDGE Analysis
The slot cornerback was limited in Wednesday's session and listed as limited on Thursday's estimated practice report, but he returned for a full practice Friday. Gardner-Johnson has made an impact in eight games with the Bears this season, recording 40 tackles (28 solo), including 3.0 sacks, three pass breakups, including two interceptions, and a forced fumble.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S CHI (5)
Fri 12/26/25 3:46 PM

Gardner-Johnson (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the 49ers.
EDGE Analysis
Despite upgrading from a limited practice Thursday to a full session Friday, Gardner-Johnson is still listed as questionable for the Week 17 contest. In eight games with Chicago this season, the Florida product has tallied 40 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, three passes defensed, with two interceptions, and one forced fumble. If he's sidelined Sunday, expect Tyrique Stevenson or Jaylon Jones to operate as the Bears' top slot corner.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson
S CHI (5)
Thu 12/25/25 5:52 PM

Gardner-Johnson (knee) is listed as limited on Thursday's estimated practice report.
EDGE Analysis
Gardner-Johnson was also limited Wednesday, when the Bears last held an actual on-field practice. He's nursing a knee injury that forced him out of Chicago's win over the Packers in Week 16 during the fourth quarter. Friday will represent starting slot cornerback's final chance to upgrade to full practice reps in Week 17.